1st post: any companies give you complete choice over when, where, if you take a ld?

[jaminjim]

By asking questions before signing the contract, you can try to find the best fit. Some jobs suit you better than others, some niches, too. Just trying to understand this niche. And I'm sure, there will be some variance even within this niche.

I don't care for the good ol' boy manner of doing things. I simply like to know my job, what's expected of me, and to do it well. Schmoozing, politicking or even bootlicking...what does it take to be a favored unit in this niche? If I've got to stay out months to make it work, I want to know it up front so I can consider the cost. This may or may not be for me, that's why I'm on the newbie forum asking. I appreciate all the replys.

Then if you really want to know, the best thing to do is read back two years worth of posts that pertain to your subject matter. This will not only give a very good picture of how it was during the boom times as well as where it is today and where it is likely to go tomorrow. Then you will have a better idea if this niche is what you want to do. Every question that you have asked has been discussed in great detail several times in the last two years.

[lowrange]

Then if you really want to know, the best thing to do is read back two years worth of posts that pertain to your subject matter. This will not only give a very good picture of how it was during the boom times as well as where it is today and where it is likely to go tomorrow. Then you will have a better idea if this niche is what you want to do. Every question that you have asked has been discussed in great detail several times in the last two years.

I've spent a lot of time reading so far and I'm aware they want you to read before you post. And, I'll continue to read. This is the newbie forum, however, I kept my questions off the general forum. At some point it's just quicker and more convenient to jump in. No one has to read this forum or respond to beginner's questions. I'll keep reading, though. For instance, supposedly there are pictures in here somewhere of different sleeper set ups. I plan to look at those.

[jaminjim]

Not suggesting that you not post at all. While you will get answers to your questions most of the time, you will only get a true answer if you read back and see all the responses over a period of time from a larger group of people.

Not ragging on you but if you read thru some of your posts its somewhat hard to take your interest in this part of the trucking industry seriously.
Drive the south during the cold months
Take what ever amount of time off whenever wherever you want.
Park at the local college after delivery
Not wanting to develop a good working relationship with the people that provide you with work for fear of bootlicking.
Driving all night
Staying out on the road in order to make money

[highway star]

You say you need to make money and are willing to stay out to do it, but you're concerned about taking extended time off? One doesn't seem to go with the other.

Generally speaking, there is freedom being an expedited O/O. But, if you take too much advantage of those freedoms you'll lessen your value to whomever you're leased to. Someone that randomly turns down loads because they don't feel like going in that direction on that particular day will quickly become a pain in the backside. I know a team with Landstar that's been with them for about 6 years. I've known the male half of this team for about 10 years and I can tell you that they both are VERY fond of the right to turn down loads. This has a lot to do with how much they sit, but in their mind it's worth it because they're not going to do something they don't want to do. That's certainly not the way I handle this business.

Based on what you've said here, having your own authority may be the best way to go. The only one you have to answer to is you.

[chefdennis]

jamin wrote:

Not ragging on you but if you read thru some of your posts its somewhat hard to take your interest in this part of the trucking industry seriously.
Drive the south during the cold months
Take what ever amount of time off whenever wherever you want.
Park at the local college after delivery
Not wanting to develop a good working relationship with the people that provide you with work for fear of bootlicking.
Driving all night
Staying out on the road in order to make money

Exactly.......

[x06col]

Seems to me that we have here the ultimate, champeen roasted goose hunter in our midst. I'm jes kinda wonder'in WHY y'all are wasting yer finger skin??

[lowrange]

Seems to me that we have here the ultimate, champeen roasted goose hunter in our midst. I'm jes kinda wonder'in WHY y'all are wasting yer finger skin??

I'll start with this one here. We just closed on our trailer today and are heading back to Michigan. So, my internet time will be limited for a couple days.

What I don't want to deal with is a bunch of posts from people who get offended because a driver or O/O is looking for the best deal for himself. I have no problem if you think I'm a prima donna. But please, there is much more you can do with your life than coming onto this thread in the newbie forum implying that I am so. I'm not out to impress anyone, just don't care for any ****ing contests, either.

[lowrange]

You say you need to make money and are willing to stay out to do it, but you're concerned about taking extended time off? One doesn't seem to go with the other.

Generally speaking, there is freedom being an expedited O/O. But, if you take too much advantage of those freedoms you'll lessen your value to whomever you're leased to. Someone that randomly turns down loads because they don't feel like going in that direction on that particular day will quickly become a pain in the backside. I know a team with Landstar that's been with them for about 6 years. I've known the male half of this team for about 10 years and I can tell you that they both are VERY fond of the right to turn down loads. This has a lot to do with how much they sit, but in their mind it's worth it because they're not going to do something they don't want to do. That's certainly not the way I handle this business.

Based on what you've said here, having your own authority may be the best way to go. The only one you have to answer to is you.

Now this here, this is a great post, thank you. Sounds like your friends are happy, Landstar is happy, everyone is happy. Morality has nothing to do with it, good people/bad people, quality of life and control over their lives weights a little heavier with these people even if they earn a little less, and what's wrong with that?

I know how they were on the truckoad side, I just didn't know if it's similar on the expedited.

It's not like I plan to take six weeks off, it's just great to know that freedom is there for you if you need it. Yes, I sometimes stay out months at a time, but I'd be home every week if I had the choice. Just because I look for a contract that involves freedoms doesn't mean I'd use them all. If you look at Landstar's advertising, the freedom to choose is their main sales point. We have to differentiate between the truckloads and expediting, though. They must certainly be different.

[lowrange]

Not suggesting that you not post at all. While you will get answers to your questions most of the time, you will only get a true answer if you read back and see all the responses over a period of time from a larger group of people.

Not ragging on you but if you read thru some of your posts its somewhat hard to take your interest in this part of the trucking industry seriously.

Fair enough. I don't know aobut this segment of the industry, that's why I'm asking.

Drive the south during the cold months

Might sound crazy to you, but there are O/Os who get away with it. I do drive the north in the winter, but given a choice, yes, as I said, I'll run my butt off in the summer and run a whole lot less on the ice and snow. Given the choice, 'yes'. I do understand, with most contracts, you don't get that choice.

Take what ever amount of time off whenever wherever you want.

I need to make money, no one has to tell me to get out there and work. It's nice, though, when you're doing it because you want to, not because somebody is implying something is wrong with you if you aren't. Best example of this is a company driver jobs in the big trucks, they don't want their equipment sitting.

Park at the local college after delivery

Yeah, as in get out a book, rest in a big comfy chair, wait for the phone to ring. What's wrong with that? You can't do that with a 53' trailer.

Not wanting to develop a good working relationship with the people that provide you with work for fear of bootlicking.

Nah, there's a difference between having good relationships with people and working the good ol' boy network. Truth is, I don't really like truckers all that much. Just give me the load, spare me your version of politics that you learned from Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity. Don't care if you want a truckers' strike because of fuel prices, but knock yourself out if you do. Got a slew of felonies? Fantastic! That certainly means you're a tough guy- general trucker talk. Most people know the difference between having to schmooze and just getting along with people.

Driving all night

It's dangerous. Lot's of O/Os have given up on the Red Bull driving. Maybe in expedited you can't, I don't know.

[Moot]

It's dangerous. Lot's of O/Os have given up on the Red Bull driving. Maybe in expedited you can't, I don't know.

I would estimate that 70% of my loads are dispatched between 14:00 and 19:00 for immediate pickup. That means driving at night.

[chefdennis]

Not wanting to develop a good working relationship with the people that provide you with work for fear of bootlicking.

Nah, there's a difference between having good relationships with people and working the good ol' boy network. Truth is, I don't really like truckers all that much. Just give me the load, spare me your version of politics that you learned from Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity. Don't care if you want a truckers' strike because of fuel prices, but knock yourself out if you do. Got a slew of felonies? Fantastic! That certainly means you're a tough guy- general trucker talk. Most people know the difference between having to schmooze and just getting along with people.

hmmm...i might be wrong, but i don't believe any of the dispatchers i work with have ever been "truck drivers"....they are just men and women husling freight that they need covered when they get it and when the shipper needs it delivered.....and they keep track of those that are ready to work when called and don't make a habit of turning down booked loads because the driver doesn't like to go ti a particular city or drive at a certain time of noght or not be in service or only take loads that will keep them warm in the winter...if the freight goes north from Fla to Wisc in dec...all dispatch wants is it covered.....i wouldn't think that woukd be too much to ask...but again, i am just a "vacation expediter".....

PS: since i have been doing this, i don't think i have ever been on the phone with a dispatcher for more then 5 minutes max....no "schmoozing"...just get me the load info.....

[highway star]

Now this here, this is a great post, thank you. Sounds like your friends are happy, Landstar is happy, everyone is happy. Morality has nothing to do with it, good people/bad people, quality of life and control over their lives weights a little heavier with these people even if they earn a little less, and what's wrong with that?

LOL, well, I don't know how you interpreted that as everyone's happy, I can assure you that my friends aren't happy and are in a bad financial way. Why they've stayed with Landstar as long as they have is beyond me. It's a system that works very well for some, not so well for others.

Morality? Who said anything about that? Did someone suggest that you steal from someone? I must have missed that. We're just trying to give you our view of how this business might work for you based on the info you've given us. Since you seemed to put a lot of importance on the option of not working, I responded to that.

[jaminjim]

Seems like a case of trying to mold the industry to your needs. Most of the time it doesn't work.

[davekc]

After reading all this I think I would recommend a summer time gig delivering pizzas at Dominoes. I believe it will cover all your requirements.

[x06col]

Dunno Dave, me think the response may be that that kinda gig wouldn't provide nuff revenue. Seems we got a trailer to support in the future. Sides, that kinda thing may cause too much demand in that period of time to afford required "freedom".

It's all good tho.

And yess Jazbo, it seems to be the new thing these days, if you don't like the mode of operation, complain or file a law suit to git it right for yourself.